Brush

ABSTRACT

A brush with a top member having a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, and a plurality of first bristles extending from the first interior surface. The brush having a second member connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, and a plurality of second bristles extending from the second interior surface. The first member and the second member are moveable relative to one another between a closed position in which the plurality of first bristles and the plurality of second bristles define an at least substantially cylindrical space there between, and an open position in which a gap defined by the space between the first member and the second member is larger than when the first member and the second member are in a closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to brushes, and more particularly to brushes for cleaning the curved surfaces of gym equipment.

BACKGROUND

Using a standard brush to clean a rod is very labor-intensive. Typically, standard brushes have a flat base and bristles extending in one direction therefrom. Standard brushes force a user to either rotate the rod while continuously brushing along the same length of the rod, or to maneuver the brush around the rod while holding the rod in place. Either of these processes can be used to brush the entire surface of the rod, but both result in expending tremendous time and effort to clean any given length of the rod.

This inefficient process is of particular concern in the fitness industry where hygiene is incredibly important. Many individuals use the same barbell, dumbbell, or other type of bar or handle throughout the day. Cleaning these types of surfaces as often as possible is important because the surfaces are generally gripped by a person's bare hands with little to no cleaning between uses. Germs are known to spread through such exposure. In addition, sometimes a person will apply chalk to their hands or directly on a barbell in order to improve their grip on the barbell. This may quickly result in the barbell having chalk embedded in the knurling, increasing the amount of grime on the piece of equipment.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to these and other problems.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a brush may comprise a first member with a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, and a plurality of first bristles extending from the first interior surface; a second member connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, and a plurality of second bristles extending from the second interior surface; wherein the first member and the second member are moveable relative to one another between a closed position in which the plurality of first bristles and the plurality of second bristles define an at least substantially cylindrical space there between, and an open position in which a gap defined by the space between the first member and the second member is larger than when the first member and the second member are in a closed position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a brush may comprise a first member having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface; a second member having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, the second member being attached to the first member by a hinge; a first insert having bristles, the first insert being removably attached to the first interior surface; a second insert having bristles, the second insert being removably attached to the second interior surface; and a plurality of second bristles extending from the second interior surface; wherein the bristles of the first insert and the bristles of the second insert define an at least substantially cylindrical space when the brush is in a closed position.

In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, further aspects of the present invention may include one or more of the following features, individually or in combination:

The first member and the second member may be connected by a hinge. The hinge may comprise a spring. The spring may be biased to keep the first member and the second member in either an open position or a closed position.

The plurality of first bristles and the plurality of second bristles may be formed from a polymer, a metal, an alloy, animal hair, or a combination thereof. The plurality of first bristles extend from the first interior surface at an angle oblique to the first interior surface, and the plurality of second bristles extend from the second interior surface at an angle oblique to the second interior surface.

The first exterior surface and the second exterior surface define an outer surface where a protruding buttress extends from the outer surface on a first end of the wire brush, and a second protruding buttress extends from the outer surface on a second end of the wire brush.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the drawings and detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the brush according to the present disclosure, being used by a person to clean a barbell.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the brush in FIG. 1 in a closed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the brush in FIG. 1 in a partially open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the brush in FIG. 1 in a completely open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a top or bottom member of the brush in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the brush in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the brush in FIG. 1 having a large spring attached.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of the brush in FIG. 1 having handles for opening the brush.

While the invention is described with reference to the above drawings, the drawings are intended to be illustrative, and the invention contemplates other embodiments within the spirit of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the present disclosure describes a brush 10. The brush 10 includes a top member 12 having a first exterior surface 14 and a first interior surface 16, with bristles 18 extending from the first interior surface 16. Connected to the top member 12 is a bottom member 20 with a second exterior surface 22 and a second interior surface 24. The second interior surface 24 also has bristles 18. The top member 12 and the bottom member 20 join together such that they enclose a cylindrical space when in a closed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the brush 10 includes a top member 12, and a bottom member 20, which are essentially symmetrical to one another. The top member 12 and bottom member 20 each have a shape that is essentially half of a hollow cylinder, such that when the brush 10 is in a closed position it forms a cylindrical shape with the bristles 18 extending inward. The first interior surface 16 and the first exterior surface 14 of the top member 12 are smooth and regularly curved, with a semicircular cross-sectional shape. The brush 10 has a front side 34, a back side 36, a left side 38, and a right side 40. Longitudinal axis A runs between the left side 38 and the right side 40. The first protruding buttress 46 and the second protruding buttress 48 serve to prevent the hand of user 50 from slipping off the brush 10 when in use.

In the illustrated embodiment, hinge 52 has a top leaf 54 and a bottom leaf 56 which are connected to the top member 12 and bottom member 20 respectively. Hinge 52 can have a spring 58 which acts on the top leaf 54 and the bottom leaf 56 so as to bias the brush 10 open as shown in FIG. 3. Spring 58 allows a user 50 to remove the brush 10 from a rod by simply relaxing their grip on the brush 10. The opening force of spring 58 overcomes the closing force of the grip, causing brush 10 to open. Hinge 52 is connected to the brush 10 by screws 60. In certain embodiments, spring 58 wraps around a pin that runs through the knuckles of hinge 52. Hinge 52 may have more than one pin and any number of knuckles. The top leaf 54 and bottom leaf 56 can be of any shape or type known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, multiple hinges 52 are used to join the top member 12 to the bottom member 20 with one hinge 52 on the left side and one hinge 52 on the right side. Alternatively, the hinge 52 may be excluded all together. In other embodiments, the hinge 52 is designed so that it does not open beyond a certain point. This can be accomplished by a hinge stop, or any number of mechanisms known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The use of a hinge stop prevents the brush 10 from opening all the way when user 50 lets go of the brush 10. If the brush 10 were to open all the way, user 50 would have to reposition the brush 10 before it could be gripped again. The hinge stop may be designed to easily switch on and off in order to allow the user 50 to open the brush 10 all the way in order to clean or replace the bristles 18. The hinge stop is adjustable allowing user 50 to adjust the degree to which the brush 10 opens to allow user 50 to clean rods of varying diameters.

Referring to FIG. 7, spring 58 may be separate from hinge 52 allowing for the use of a larger, more powerful spring positioned to act with greater torque on the brush 10. This design also makes the use of a larger spring 58 more practical. In other embodiments, the design shown in FIG. 7 may be modified to remove hinge 52 from the brush 10 and have the spring 58 serve as the hinge for the brush 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, hinge 52 has a spring 58 that biases the brush 10 closed in order to generate extra force on the bristles 18 against the rod while in use. The hinge 52 is part of handles 53 which extend from the brush 10, allowing a user 50 to squeeze the handles 53 in order to open the brush 10. The hinge 52 may be any type or variety of butt hinge, flush hinge, spring hinge, continuous hinge such as a piano hinge, or any other hinge known by one of ordinary skill in the art. The spring 58 may be a torsion spring, helical spring, or any other spring known by one of ordinary skill in the art. The brush 10 may also use a different method of connecting the top member 12 and bottom member 20, including straps, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, tape, or other technologies known by one of ordinary skill in the art, and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 5, the bristles 18 are connected to an insert 62 which attaches to an interior surface 16, 24 of a member 12, 20. The bristles 18 are all uniformly spaced and directed toward the center of the brush 10. The top member 12 and the bottom member 20 each have a protruding lip 63 that surrounds the outside of the interior surface 16, 24. The insert 62 is bent against the interior surface 16, 24 to fit around the protruding lip 63 and is snapped into place in order to attach to the interior surface 16, 24. The protruding lip 63 holds the insert 62 in place along the entire length of the protruding lip 63 so that when the brush 10 is being used, the insert 62 is entirely secured against the interior surface 16, 24. More specifically, the protruding lip 63 prevents the insert 62 from moving around and popping out of the brush 10 during use. In one embodiment, the insert 62 is fixed to the interior surface 16, 24. The insert 62 may be screwed on to the interior surface 16, 24.

In another embodiment, the insert 62 is removably connected to the interior surface 16, 24. The insert 62 and/or the protruding lip 63 may have at least one small notch 70 formed therein. The small notch 70 allows a tool, such as a flat-head screwdriver, access between the insert 62 and the interior surface 16, 24, so that the insert 62 can be popped out of the brush 10 whenever the insert 62 needs to be switched out. This design facilitates changing the insert 62, and ultimately the bristles 18, quickly and easily. However, the insert 62 may also be removed from the interior surface 16, 24 through other means.

In other embodiments, the bristles 18 are arranged in sections or rows. In another embodiment, the bristles 18 extend toward a point offset from the center of the brush 10 in either a random or uniform fashion. If the bristles 18 are arranged in a uniform fashion with the bristles 18 pointing in the same direction, for example, slightly toward the right side 40, the brush 10 may move more easily along a rod in a left direction but with more difficulty along a rod in a right direction. This may help avoid bending or damaging the bristles 18 and it forces the bristles 18 into the knurling or crevices of a rod for a more efficient cleaning. If the bristles 18 extend toward a point offset from the center of the brush in a random fashion, the bristles 18 may engage the surface of the object being cleaned in a variety of ways to provide a thorough cleaning of the object, even where the surface may be textured or ridged. In other embodiments, the bristles 18 can be made of metal, wire, steel, polymers, nylon, animal hair, or other materials known in the art, and combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6, the brush 10 has an internal diameter 64 which is the distance between the ends of the bristles 18 on opposing sides of the brush 10. The internal diameter 64 is designed to be approximately equivalent to the diameter of the rod being cleaned, with the internal diameter 64 generally being slightly smaller to force the bristles 18 to bend against the rod when the brush 10 is applied to the rod and squeezed. The bristle length 66 may be adjusted by switching the insert 62. Switching the insert 62 and bristles 18 allow the brush 10 to clean rods of different diameters.

The body thickness 68 is the thickness of the outer body of the brush including the height added by the first protruding buttress 46. In other embodiments, the brush 10 can be made from a polymer, metal or metal alloy, wood, or other materials known in the art. Depending on the materials used, the brush 10 can flex and bend to conform to the shape of the rod it is cleaning allowing for a more thorough cleaning. In other embodiments, the brush 10 may have a textured surface, molded finger grip, and additional materials attached or embedded in either the first exterior surface 14, second exterior surface 22, or both, to make the brush 10 easier to grip during use.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top member 12 and the bottom member 20 each define an approximate half of the overall cylindrical body. In other embodiments, the top member 12 and the bottom member 20 may not be equal in size. For example, a smaller top member 12 may be used with a larger bottom member 20 in order to make the brush 10 easier to close, or give the brush 10 increased structural integrity. In other embodiments, the brush 10 may have a cross-sectional shape that is ovular, elliptical, triangular, square, pentagonal, or any other polygonal shape, having either regular or irregular dimensions as is known in the art. The brush 10 may not close completely, with the top member 12 and the bottom member 20 forming a fraction of a cylinder or other shape. In other embodiments, the brush 10 is formed from only one member, and the brush 10 is either slipped onto the end of a shaft or has a permanent gap designed into the member so that it can fit onto a rod. A drawback of designing the brush 10 with just one member is that it cannot be used to clean rods that have something blocking their ends. Additionally, if the brush 10 with just one member is designed with a gap to accommodate rods with objects on each end, the brush 10 cannot clean all 360° of the rod with one stroke.

Referring to FIG. 1, during use of the brush 10, a user 50 places the brush 10 on a barbell 70. The user 50 first applies the brush 10 onto the barbell 70 while the brush 10 is in an open position. The user 50 then squeezes the brush 10 to close the brush 10 around the barbell 70, and force the bristles 18 up against the surface of the barbell 70. With the barbell 70 now enclosed by the brush 10, the user 50 may clean the barbell 70 by moving the brush 10 along the barbell 70. The user 50 may hold the brush 10 in one hand and the barbell 70 in the other hand. The user 50 should maintain a strong grip on the brush 10 to force the bristles 18 to engage with the surface of the barbell 70 and remove dirt and grime from the surface of the object.

In one embodiment, the brush 10 is a handheld cleaning tool. In other embodiments, the brush 10 is manipulated by a machine or robot.

The brush 10 offers several advantages over known brush devices. The brush 10 can clean all surfaces of a rod with fewer strokes and less effort than would otherwise be required if using a prior art brush. This allows a user 50 to avoid having to maneuver the brush or rotate the rod while cleaning the rod, saving the user 50 time and effort.

In addition, the brush 10 includes inserts 62 which can be replaced, providing the brush 10 with additional advantages. The body of the brush 10 may last longer than a prior art brush because a user 50 can replace the insert 62 when the bristles 18 have worn out without having to replace the entire brush 10. Using a replaceable part such as insert 62 also allows the brush 10 to be adapted for multiple uses. The insert 62 may be replaced so that certain types of bristles 18 can be used for corresponding types of rods. For example, using metal bristles for a metal rod and soft bristles for a wooden rod. In some embodiments, an insert 62 has an absorbent cloth or sponge material instead of bristles 18, so that the brush 10 may be used with water and cleaning agents to disinfect a rod. The brush 10 may also be used with polish in order to treat the surface of a rod.

While several embodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that aspects of the present invention include many more embodiments and implementations.

Accordingly, aspects of the present invention are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some instances, one or more features disclosed in connection with one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A brush, comprising: a first member having a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, and a plurality of first bristles extending from the first interior surface; and a second member connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, and a plurality of second bristles extending from the second interior surface; wherein the first member and the second member are moveable relative to one another between a closed position in which the plurality of first bristles and the plurality of second bristles define an at least substantially cylindrical space there between, and an open position in which a gap defined by the space between the first member and the second member is larger than when the first member and the second member are in a closed position.
 2. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are connected by a hinge.
 3. The brush according to claim 2, wherein the hinge includes a spring, and the spring is biased to keep the first member and the second member in an open position.
 4. The brush according to claim 2, wherein the hinge includes a spring, and the spring is biased to keep the first member and the second member in a closed position.
 5. The brush according to claim 2, wherein the hinge includes a hinge stop to prevent the hinge from opening all the way.
 6. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first bristles and the plurality of second bristles are formed from a polymer, a metal, an alloy, or animal hair.
 7. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first bristles extend from the first interior surface at an angle oblique to the first interior surface; and the plurality of second bristles extend from the second interior surface at an angle oblique to the second interior surface.
 8. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface define an outer surface; a protruding buttress extends from the outer surface on a first end of the wire brush; and a second protruding buttress extends from the outer surface on a second end of the wire brush.
 9. A brush, comprising: a first member having a first exterior surface and a first interior surface; a second member having a second exterior surface and a second interior surface, the second member being attached to the first member by a hinge; a first insert having bristles, the first insert being removably attached to the first interior surface; and a second insert having bristles, the second insert being removably attached to the second interior surface; wherein the bristles of the first insert and the bristles of the second insert define an at least substantially cylindrical space when the brush is in a closed position.
 10. The brush according to claim 9, wherein the first insert is locked in place against the first interior surface by a first protruding lip of the first member; and the second insert is locked in place against the second interior surface by a second protruding lip of the second member.
 11. The brush according to claim 10, wherein the first insert is bent against the first interior surface in order to fit around the first protruding lip, and snapped into place against the first interior surface; and the second insert is bent against the second interior surface in order to fit around the second protruding lip, and snapped into place against the second interior surface.
 12. A brush comprising: a first member having a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, a first insert, and a plurality of first bristles extending from the first insert; a second member connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, a second insert, and a plurality of second bristles extending from the second insert; and a hinge having a biased spring; wherein the first member and the second member are connected by the hinge.
 13. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the spring is biased to keep the first member and the second member in a closed position.
 14. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the spring is biased to keep the first member and the second member in an open position.
 15. The brush according to claim 12, further comprising a handle connected to the hinge, wherein the handle moves the first member and the second member from a closed position to an open position.
 16. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the first insert and the second insert are detachable.
 17. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of first bristles extend from the first interior surface at an angle oblique to the first interior surface; and the plurality of second bristles extend from the second interior surface at an angle oblique to the second interior surface.
 18. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the first insert is bent against the first interior surface to fit around a first protruding lip of the first member and snapped into place; the second insert is bent against the second interior surface to fit around a second protruding lip of the second member and snapped into place; and the first insert is locked in place against the first interior surface by the first protruding lip, and the second insert is locked in place against the second interior surface by the second protruding lip.
 19. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the bristles are arranged in a uniform fashion with the bristles pointing in the same direction.
 20. The brush according to claim 12, wherein the brush has an internal diameter designed to be approximately equivalent to a diameter of a rod being cleaned. 